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Photograph by Johnny Wolf. IIDA Color Invasion 2019 — IIDA NY’s Color Invasion 2019; Photographs by Johnny Wolf.

Just last week, the International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) hosted their 17th-annual Color Invasion event to record-breaking success at Center415. With over 1,500 attendees, the design and architecture community came out in full force for this year’s Sweet Dreams-themed affair. Aptly decked out in fancy and imaginative pajamas, party-goers helped to support the local chapter’s initiatives and the Pajama Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering pajamas and books to at-risk children in the hopes of creating “Good Nights for Better Days” for kids in need of a positive bedtime experience.

IIDA NY's Color Invasion 2019; Photographs by Johnny Wolf. — IIDA NY’s Color Invasion 2019; Photographs by Johnny Wolf.

Just as dreams are rooted in the subconscious, this year’s Sweet Dreams event was a fantastical landscape brought to life. From the Beauty Bar (sponsored by Mercer Hamilton) with its plethora of lashes, braids, eye gems, and tattoos, to an Andy Warhol-inspired Pillow Room (sponsored by Maars Walls), and a Bed Sheet Maze (sponsored by Carnegie) that instantly recalled the haphazard fort-building fun many of us experienced as kids, there was no end in sight to imagination gone wild. In addition, a meandering enchanted forest led to catering stations including a Bed Buffet (sponsored by ProSec), a party-sized Cereal Bar (sponsored by InsideSource), and Raid the Fridge (sponsored by Framery)—an area chock-full of party favorites such as mini personal pizzas, sesame noodles in Chinese take-out containers, and meatloaf sandwiches.

Guests danced the night away to the tunes of one metallic glitter-covered Sandman DJ (sponsored by Milliken) under a full moon and with the help of some liquid courage provided by the Under the Stars Bars (sponsored by Arper and Clarus). While Moon Lyre dancers weaved through the party, various other sections drew crowds. The Movie Theatre, Concession, and Bar (sponsored by Andreu World and NJM), offered an escape from the crowds with incredible dream sequences being played out on the big screen. Meanwhile, The Cloud Room (sponsored by Humanscale), was a serene sky-like space enhanced by a dancing cloud that brought the otherworldy-like feel to life.

Around the corner, a Psychedelic Dream Room (sponsored by Urban Office, Infinium, and Svend Nielsen) offered live music, a black-light experience, and so much more. All in all, it was a master class in how to throw an imaginative, sensory-filled party. It also happened to yield approximately 2,000 units of pajamas and books ready for donation in support of the program. To donate or read more about Pajama Program, please click here.

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Check Out The Cutest Dog Costumes in All of NYC

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Photos by Eddy Garay

The Cutest Dog Costumes in All NYC, Ranked

Barktoberfest 2019 is over; everybody won. Well, we all got to see adorable dogs in great costumes, but only some of those dogs won prizes. Over the course of the evening, ten top dogs won nine prizes for their puppy parents. It was a tough competition, but it wasn’t because of the rain; our judges had to choose between more participants than ever before! More than 80 pups and 200 people showed up for Downtown’s biggest Barktoberfest event.

The Event

On October 29th, hundreds of pups and people descended on the Seaport at Pier 17 for Barktoberfest, a canine costume party celebration. The event was hosted by Downtown Magazine and POOCHI NYC. Downtown Magazine’s Pawblisher Barclay publishes his own column in the magazine. POOCHI NYC is a professional dog-walking service offering memberships to NYC Pawrents with pooches at home.

The event featured snacks, “BarkTinis,” and more, including snacks from Industry Kitchen, Grandaisy Bakery, and Insomnia Cookies.

Sponsors included: Downtown Magazine, POOCHI NYC, Seaport District NYC, Social Tees Animal Rescue, Four Seasons, SYNLawn, BARK, Frédéric Fekkai, WellPup, Worth Street Veterinary Center, Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, Pet Plate, Tribeca Grill, Zoo Snoods, and Insomnia Cookies.

The Competition

A group of seven expert judges chose winners for 6 categories and three runners up, with prizes for all.

The Judges:

Saul Scherl Executive Vice President Howard Hughes Corp

“Elizabeth Velez Developer Velez Organization

Mimi Fisher Stylist

“Dr. DiPolo” Worth Street Vet

“Kiana Martinez Mitchel Gold Bob Williams

Christie Huus Christie Huus, Vice-Chair Seaport Museum

Martin Kesselman Founder InColour

The Winners

We know this is why you’re really here: the puppy pictures. We don’t blame you.

Our Runners Pup:

Runners up received a one-year subscription to Downtown Magazine. For one year, they will able to learn about all of the cool stuff happening downtown, and their furry friends can learn about local doggie do’s with Barclay’s Spot.

Our first runner up was dressed as General Leia, our favorite Disney princess.

7th Place

Our 7th place winners were a tag-team, a pair of partners. These army pups won their owner a gift basket from Eatily.

6th Place

This went to a pair of owners, and one adorable infomercial of a pup. This chia pet won its owners a trip to the Fabio Doti Salon on Wall Street.

5th Place

This next pup was a Prime choice for 5th place. This Amazon Prime Pup won our hearts, as well as a Gift Certificate for Worth Street Veterinary Center.

This dog delivers joy to your heart in two days or less.

4th Place

This princely participant won his owner a hair makeover from Fredric Fekkai with David Cotteblanche.

3rd Place

Our third-place winner was also our “funniest costume.” It makes a lot of sense–this pup is a real joker. Pepper won himself a beautiful new dog bed from MGBW.

2nd Place

Our second-place winner is also competing in another contest, a heated political bout that won this dog “Best Headline-of-the-Day” costume. Bernie Sanders himself came down to the competition, looking a little furrier than usual, to collect a dinner for four at the Tribeca Grill.

Pup — *Senator Sanders posing after a tough competition.*

1st Prize

First prize went to a repeat pup. Last year’s winner (she was a fortune teller) returned as a grandma. If you think the costume is impressive, you should have seen her walk her walker on her hind legs. This walker-walking pup’s parent will walk away with an overnight stay at the Four Seasons.

Some Other Highlights

Some candid pics of some other participants. Nobody was a loser with awesome costumes like these.